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New sewer to protect site of special scientific interest

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Thames Water has just completed a thirteen week sewer project at a site in Abingdon to stop sewage spills into a nature reserve.

The site in Abingdon, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), has seen a sewer pipe that travels under Dry Sandford Pit burst on a number of occasions over the last few years. To remedy the problem, Thames Water has installed a new plastic and concrete sewer three miles northwest of Abington away from the rare fenland habitat.

The £800,000 project undertaken by the water company had to receive the go ahead from the MoD and Natural England before commencing.

Thames Water project manager, Andrew Popple, stated:

“This is really great news wildlife and for residents. The new sewer pipe will help prevent flooding to the SSSI land in the future, which will be a great benefit to everyone who enjoys visiting, or live near to, this lovely spot.

“Sewer flooding at people’s homes is a truly miserable experience and getting rid of it is our top priority. Our new sewer pipe will help prevent this.”

“Dry Sandford Pit is a BBOWT nature reserve of national importance. This is a fragile and rare fenland habitat supporting species such as the southern damselfly and marsh fragrant orchid and hundreds of marsh helleborine all of which depend on excellent water quality.

“Few other places in Britain have such a remarkable combination of habitats, so it’s good news that Thames Water has completed this work to prevent potential damage from storm sewage spills.”